Emigration and Public Opinion in Sending Countries: Evidence from Poland

• In Event: Migrants, Public Opinion, and Policy Preferences in Europe and the Americas

Abstract

Does out-migration influence individuals' political preferences in sending countries? This paper explores how exposure to emigration affects individuals' political attitudes in sending countries. The previous literature on migration and public opinion is primarily focused on the effects of immigration on individuals' political attitudes in receiving countries. Yet, large-scale emigration can also affect individuals' political attitudes through various channels. For instance, large-scale emigration can either transform the remaining individuals' social networks, raise concerns regarding the economy, or concerns regarding the sustainability of their local communities and traditional values. To explore the effect of emigration on public opinion among the remaining population, I design a survey experiment to isolate and test different channels through which emigration can affect individuals' political attitudes.

Author

• Junghyun Lim, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill